Update: September 12th, 2025
KARAKA has been sailing as a collective for over 20 years
Since 2004, Karaka has been sailing across the world’s oceans as a community boat, taking hundreds of crew, most of them long term, and going almost twice around the world.
It is both a sailing vessel and a human project: an adventure open to anyone wishing to experience the life of a nomadic sea gypsy.
Currently
We are in Rio Dulce, Guatemala, on the Caribbean side and our next aventure will start in November 2025, heading to Panama via the Bay Ilands in Honduras, Jamaica and Isla de Providencia ( Colombia).
=> We have 2 more crew positions available for this voyage, so contact us ASAP if you are interested to join.
Find all the details on how to apply on the Contact page.
Who are we ?
Karaka is a traditional steel ketch: big, broad, black, and full of character.
She was once abandoned in Hong Kong, bought for $1, and has since completed one and , and has since sailed nearly 100 000 nautical miles in all the oceans of the globe.
But Karaka is not just a boat.
It is a non-profit cooperative project, where everyone contributes to the costs and daily life on board.
Behind this project are Tom and Emma, who live on board and welcome crews along the way.
Is this for you ? Yes if :
- You want to experience a unique human adventure, far from mainstream tourism.
- You are exited about becoming a sea gypsy and learn life at sea, teamwork, and self-reliance.
- You dream of becoming part of an open community, with no barriers of age, nationality, or background.
- You are keen to discover an alternative lifestyle: simple, collective, and responsible.
Our spirit
We are not a luxury yacht: Karaka is a nomadic sea gypsy ship.
Our crew is eclectic, sometimes a little bohemian, but we all share a sense of practicality, a willingness to take part, and respect for responsibilities on board.
More than just a low-cost way to sail, Karaka is above all a life experience and a chance to discover an alternative way of living.
How to join us?
If you feel aligned with our spirit, head to the Contact page on this website for all the info.
Learn more…
To better understand our cooperative approach, life on board, and how we share costs, explore the different pages of the site.
You’ll find plenty of resources to dive deeper into the world of Karaka.
We welcome crew members from all walks of life, at different stages of the journey.
What matters most is the attitude: curiosity, team spirit, and the desire to take part.
Karaka is a non-profit cooperative: every donation helps maintain the ship and keep the adventure alive.
Thank you for your support!
Help keep the adventure alive !